[Rhinorrhea and otorrhea: rare complications of the medical treatment in invasive prolactinomas]. / La rhinorrhée et l'otorrhée: des complications rares du traitement médical des prolactinomes invasifs.

ABSTRACT

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and otorrhea are rare complications of conservative and medical management of invasive macroprolactinomas. The slow shrinkage of the tumor during therapy is responsible for delayed rhinorrhea and otorrhea which carry the risk of meningitis. The operative procedure for closure of the fistulae is needed. We report the occurrence of CSF rhinorrhea in two patients with macroprolactinoma who were treated by bromocriptine. In one patient the fistulae is surgically treated and the treatment by bromocriptine is maintained. In the other patient the rhinorrhea is associated with otorrhea and the operation is not required because of the massive destruction of skull base. The CSF rhinorrhea and otorrhea stopped after diminution of bromocriptine doses.